Christmas in the heart

I'm feeling a tad guilty posting Christmas cards before Thanksgiving, especially since I have a few opinions on how early the stores start pushing Christmas. BUT, I've pretty much mailed/ delivered all my Fall and Thanksgiving cards for the year, and I've started working on Christmas cards - a little here, a little there. 
I found another neat blog that posts card sketches, and the current sketch challenge - and by current I of course mean that I am posting this at the last minute ;) - made me think of one of the "single" stamps in the Holiday catalog - Heart of Christmas.

I stamped a simple background in Always Artichoke ink (same color as the card stock) using two of the snowflake stamps from the Snowflake Soiree stamp set. 

The sentiment is used as the focal point on this card. I stamped it in Always Artichoke ink - once onto the Lucky Limeade Layer, and then again onto Whisper White which I trimmed after stamping. 
Two punched hearts (Small Heart punch, and the tiny heart in the Owl Builder punch) and some Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine are all the embellishments this card needs. 

So, just curious... when do you start making your Christmas cards? Are you an early bird or a procrastinator like me?  :}
If you still have some stamping to do, be sure to check out the amazing deals in my Online Store. There are some cute Christmas stamp sets at GREAT prices!!

a simple card sketch - four ways!

Sometimes I like to give the creative side of my brain a little kick... either to get things started or to get my creativity to move in a different direction. I like to read paper crafting magazines, look through the photo gallery in Stampin' Up!'s online forum for demonstrators, and browse blogs. Earlier this week, a card sketch on the Clean & Simple blog caught my eye. I liked it so much, that I made quite a variety of projects using the same sketch. Today I'm sharing three cards and a  gift tag, all inspired by the sketch.   :} 

stamp sets: Circle Circus, A Word For You

stamp sets: Pleasant Poppies, Friendly Phrases

stamp set: Curly Cute          Embossing Folder: Lacy Brocade

stamp sets: Merry Minis, Tiny Tags 

Creating the scalloped-edge rectangle was super easy! Using the Scallop Squares Duo Bigz Die, I simply die-cut two of each square. For the card fronts, I adhered the larger squares together with five scallops overlapping. For the tag, the smaller squares are adhered together with three scallops overlapping. 

Speaking of die-cutting, have you ever wished you could see all of Stampin' Up!'s products for the Big Shot in one place??? Your wish has been granted!  :}  

Big Shot PDF      http://bit.ly/BigShotUS

Don't have the Big Shot (yet) but want to create those beautiful embossed textures (like on the thank-you card) with the Embossing Folders??? Another wish granted!! The Texture Boutique Embossing Machine is here! 

whew... That turned out to be quite a long post! Thanks for sticking around to the end.  Now go stamp!!  ;}

thankful for... card sketches!

I spent yesterday's "extra hour" (and then some) in my stamping space. I made a lot of pretty cards that I'm looking forward to sharing this week. I was thinking that it's been a while since I participated in a blog challenge, so it was time to jump into one. I am very thankful for this week's challenge on The Paper Player's Blog - "Give Thanks."  

It has also been a while since I did some coloring, soooo,  I dusted off my Blender Pen and grabbed the More Mustard, Cajun Craze, and Soft Suede inks to color the simple image from the Lovely As A Tree stamp set. 

The Woodgrain Background stamp and the color spritzing on the More Mustard layer add just the right amount of subtle detail so that the image and the sentiment stand out. 
And since I know how thankful we ALL are for card sketches... here you go! 

It's a great card sketch for when you need to stamp a quick card. Be sure to "Pin It" so you'll always have it... you will be thankful that you did!   :}   Have a happy Monday!!

It's a wonderFALL day

It's time to start thinking about (and ordering supplies for) your Thanksgiving table decorations. To get you started, I made a frameable art piece (5x7), placecards, and a candle for the centerpiece.

All of these projects are super easy, especially with the Wonderfall stamp set and the coordinating Autumn Accents Bigz Die.  

Before adding the stamped leaves to your candle, wrap a strip of burlap "fabric" around the base - overlap and adhere (I used the Multipurpose Liquid Glue). 

Then wrap Cotton Ribbon around the candle - overlap and adhere. While it looks like the Bronze Button is sewn to the ribbon, I simply tied a bow of Linen Tread through the holes, and then glued the button on. 

Die cut several leaves from Very Vanilla card stock. Then "stamp upside down" by inking your leaf stamps, and with rubber facing up (block side lying on your table), press the die-cut onto the stamp. I crumbled my leaves and sponged the edges with Crumb Cake ink for a more distressed look. The leaves are adhered to the ribbon with the liquid glue. 
Now that you've fallen in love with this stamp set, how about getting it for 15% off???!!! But you have to hurry... the stamps are only on sale today! 

While you are shopping, don't forget to check out the FREE digital downloads, online only Clearance Rack, a new project kit,  and the Single Stamps: 

Never leave a burning candle unattended, remove decoration before using, indoor use only, call the fire department if there's a fire, do not use in the shower......... and SHOP FOR STAMPS!!   :}

a "Wonderfall" card!

Don't you love how just as the colors are changing outside in nature, so are your "go to" colors in your stamp space? I'm having a hard time deciding which is my favorite color combination to use on "fall" projects. There are so many great choices! 

stamp sets: Wonderfall, Perfectly Penned 

ink: Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke 

DSP: First Edition 

card stock: Always Artichoke 

acessories: Vintage Trinkets, 7/8" Cotton Ribbon 

techniques: Triple-Time stamping, stamping on ribbon 

When selecting a stamp set to use for the Triple-Time stamping technique, try choosing a set that has multiple coordinating images, in slightly varied sizes, that aren't too small. Click here to see a few other cards using this technique.

So, do you have a favorite color combo for your "fall" projects? I'd love to know - feel free to share your combo(s) by leaving a comment  :}   Happy stamping!

Ribbon Wreath

I finally finished a project on my "really-really want-to-make" list!!! For those of you who have a 2010-2011 SU catalog handy, my inspiration comes from the ribbon wreath on p190. It's not like it takes a long time to make a ribbon wreath - I finished in a few hours. I probably would have finished sooner if I didn't take breaks to draw outside with chalk, lose a lightsaber battle, and have a snack in the shade... but those are some of the best parts of working from home  :}  It's just one of those projects that kept getting pushed to the side, but I had time today since I didn't want to get a ton of supplies out while the drywall was being sanded. For this project, all you need is a hoop, ribbon, and Craft & Paper Scissors. I have two of these high quality scissors - one for paper, and one for fabric and ribbon.

Isn't it pretty??? Since I have several miles spools of ribbon in my craft room, this is the perfect project for me! All of these ribbons are from Stampin' Up! ... some are current, some are old, some are really old. I chose a variety of pinks, yellows, oranges, and greens for a bright, summery look.

I started with a hoop (approximately 13" diameter) that I purchased from my local craft store (I think I found it in the same aisle as the mirror pieces). Then I tied all my ribbons on... that's it! So easy!! 

A few tips for you: 
I used approximately 1 to 3 yards of each ribbon.
Push the tied ribbons close together as you're working.
Trim the ends as you go; don't wait to trim them all at the end.
Use a good amount of the wider ribbons first; it's much easier to fill in with skinny ribbons.
Try to use a variety of ribbon textures (satin, twill, grosgrain, scalloped edges) on your wreath for visual interest.
Mixing solid, striped, stitched, and dotted ribbons of varying widths is fun!
If you are using Pleated Satin Ribbon, pull gently when tying.
Ribbons with a heavier stiffness hold up to being cut longer; floppy ribbons should be cut shorter.

I bought more than 1 hoop because I have plans to make more. I will definitely create a Ribbon Wreath for Christmas... what else... oooh! Fall colors would be pretty!!  :}  What colors do you think I should try next?

Mojo Monday 228

There's nothing like a good card sketch to get your stamping "mojo" going for the day... well, that and a few cups of coffee! For today's post, I used the Mojo Monday 228 sketch. 

I turned to my trusty companion - the Color Coach - for the colors on this card. I used the 'Dynamic Duo' of Always Artichoke and River Rock. Then I pulled in some white to lighten it up.
I wanted to add interest to the Always Artichoke background layer, so I dry embossed it using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and the Big Shot. Then, I used a Sponge Dauber to brush on some Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint.
The Paisley Petals DSP takes its place in two spots on this card... once as a strip and once as a die cut. To make that nice little die cut, I used the third largest Framelit from the Labels Collection. Wanna see how??? Taadaa!! I have a short video for you today!

Here's a close-up of all those yummy details and layers on my card-

The Artichoke 3/8" Denim Jean Ribbon looks great on this card! I'm glad I finally used it - what a wonderful texture! This ribbon would work great on masculine cards... which is a good thing for me since I have a hard time not using ribbon  ;)
The leaves, from the Build a Blossom stamp set, are stamped in Always Artichoke ink onto the same color card stock, and then punched out with the Blossom Petals Builder punch. The sentiment is actually two stamps from the Fabulous Phrases stamp set - an excellent set to have on hand. I stamped them in Always Artichoke ink onto a scrap of River Rock card stock.
The Paper Daisies - which I really need to use more - look great on this card. To add interest, I spritzed them liberally with my mixture of Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint (in rubbing alcohol). I just {love} the look of it! A Basic Pearl in the center of the flower and a Large Basic Pearl add just the right amount of elegant bling to finish the card.

Thanks for stopping by - have a wonderful day!!  :}

Always Artichoke

Always Artichoke is another color that sat "unloved" for many years until Stampin' Up! did the big color renovation. It is now a regularly used color in my projects :)
The Color Coach lists the "Dynamic Duo" as Always Artichoke and River Rock. The "Creative Combination" colors are Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, and Bashful Blue. The "Sweet Set" colors are Always Artichoke, So Saffron, and Cajun Craze.

This cute little 3x3 card uses the Apple Blossoms Hostess stamp set.


The bird is from the Punch Potpourri Hostess stamp set, and then punched out using the Two-Step Bird punch. I used the same punch to create 2 branches from Always Artichoke card stock. After dry embossing with the Framed Tulips Embossing Folder, I spritzed the de-bossed side of the crumb cake card stock with a Crumb Cake marker and the Color Spritzer Tool.

I really like how this card turned out, and I'm not sure I would have put these colors together on my own. Yay Color Coach!! ;)
The Always Artichoke card stock is dry embossed with the Elegant Lines Embossing Folder. I used the Build a Blossom stamp set and the coordinating Blossom Petals punch to create the flower. The sentiment is from the Thank You Kindly stamp set.